WPP Group’s first quarter rise

WPP Group has announced a 19.8 per cent rise in revenues during the first quarter of 2000, in its latest trading update.

The company’s branding and identity arm, which also includes healthcare and specialist communications, was up 15.9 per cent alone. According to a WPP spokeswoman, the acquisitions of design consultancies in the UK, Australia, Singapore and Canada are likely to increase this figure in the future.

Under the stewardship of chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell, WPP also saw a 19 per cent increase in net new business billings from £447m for the first quarter of 1999 to £532 over the same three months this year.

Meanwhile, the group has confirmed that it is currently “in discussions” with New York advertising giant Young & Rubicam, “which may or may not lead to an agreement between the two companies”.